Afghanistan Leads Athletes’ Parade as Asian Games Open in Nagoya
Afghanistan led the athletes’ parade as the 20th Asian Games officially opened in Nagoya, Japan, on Saturday. The Afghan delegation entered Paloma Mizuho Stadium first as athletes from across Asia gathered for the start of the continent’s biggest multi-sport event.
Afghanistan had the first place in the athletes’ parade as the 20th Asian Games officially opened in Nagoya, Japan, on Saturday.
The Afghan delegation entered Paloma Mizuho Stadium at the head of the procession, beginning a parade involving representatives from 45 Asian national Olympic committees as well as the OCA Refugee Team. Reuters photographs from the ceremony show Afghan athletes marching through the stadium during Saturday’s opening.
Afghanistan’s position at the front was determined by the parade order rather than sporting ranking. Reports from Nagoya said the delegations entered according to English alphabetical order, placing Afghanistan first. Host Japan entered last.
The ceremony formally opened the Aichi-Nagoya Games, which run from September 19 to October 4. The Olympic Council of Asia lists Afghanistan among the participating national Olympic committees.
Japan’s Emperor Naruhito officially declared the Games open, while Olympic Council of Asia President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani and International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry were among the senior sporting officials attending.
Competition in several sports had already begun before Saturday’s ceremony, but the opening marked the formal start of the 16-day Games.
For Afghanistan, the parade provided the delegation’s first appearance together on the main Asian Games stage before the focus shifts to competition.
